The ring was regarded as an indispensable article of a Hebrew's attire, inasmuch as it contained his signet. It was hence the symbol of authority. (Genesis 41:42; Esther 3:10) Rings were worn not only by men, but by women. (Isaiah 3:21) We may conclude from (Exodus 28:11) that the rings contained a stone engraven with a device or with the owner's name. The custom appears also to have prevailed among the Jews of the apostolic age. (James 2:2)

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Used as an ornament to decorate the fingers, arms, wrists, and also the ears and the nose. Rings were used as a signet (Genesis 38:18). They were given as a token of investment with authority (Genesis 41:42; Esther 3:8-10; 8:2), and of favour and dignity (Luke 15:22). They were generally worn by rich men (James 2:2). They are mentioned by Isiah (3:21) among the adornments of Hebrew women.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. t.) To cause to sound, especially by striking, as a metallic body; as, to ring a bell.

2. (v. t.) To make (a sound), as by ringing a bell; to sound.

3. (v. t.) To repeat often, loudly, or earnestly.

4. (v. i.) To sound, as a bell or other sonorous body, particularly a metallic one.

5. (v. i.) To practice making music with bells.

6. (v. i.) To sound loud; to resound; to be filled with a ringing or reverberating sound.

7. (v. i.) To continue to sound or vibrate; to resound.

8. (v. i.) To be filled with report or talk; as, the whole town rings with his fame.

9. (n.) A sound; especially, the sound of vibrating metals; as, the ring of a bell.

10. (n.) Any loud sound; the sound of numerous voices; a sound continued, repeated, or reverberated.

11. (n.) A chime, or set of bells harmonically tuned.

12. (n.) A circle, or a circular line, or anything in the form of a circular line or hoop.

13. (n.) Specifically, a circular ornament of gold or other precious material worn on the finger, or attached to the ear, the nose, or some other part of the person; as, a wedding ring.

14. (n.) A circular area in which races are or run or other sports are performed; an arena.

17. (n.) The plane figure included between the circumferences of two concentric circles.

18. (n.) The solid generated by the revolution of a circle, or other figure, about an exterior straight line (as an axis) lying in the same plane as the circle or other figure.

19. (n.) An instrument, formerly used for taking the sun's altitude, consisting of a brass ring suspended by a swivel, with a hole at one side through which a solar ray entering indicated the altitude on the graduated inner surface opposite.

20. (n.) An elastic band partly or wholly encircling the spore cases of ferns.

21. (n.) A clique; an exclusive combination of persons for a selfish purpose, as to control the market, distribute offices, obtain contracts, etc.

22. (v. t.) To surround with a ring, or as with a ring; to encircle.

23. (v. t.) To make a ring around by cutting away the bark; to girdle; as, to ring branches or roots.

24. (v. t.) To fit with a ring or with rings, as the fingers, or a swine's snout.

25. (v. i.) To rise in the air spirally.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

RING

(Anglo-Saxon, Hring, "ring"): The word renders (the American Standard Revised Version) two Hebrew words (in the King James Version and the English Revised Version three) and two Greek words. Tabba`ath, the principal Hebrew word, is from Tabha`, "sink," either because the ring is something "cast" or molded, or, more probably, since the principal use of the ring was as a seal, because it "sank" into the wax or clay that received the impression. In Exodus, Tabba`ath, "ring," is a detail of furniture or equipment, as the rings of the ark through which the staves were thrust (Exodus 25:12, etc.), rings for curtains, in the high priest's ephod (Exodus 28:28; Exodus 39:21), etc. Its other use was perhaps the original, to describe the article of personal adornment worn on the finger, apparently in the Old Testament always a signet-ring, and as such an indispensable article of masculine attire. Such a ring Pharaoh gave Joseph as a symbol of authority (Genesis 41:42); and Ahasuerus gave Haman (Esther 3:10); with it the royal missive was sealed (Esther 3:12; Esther 8:8 twice, 10). It was also a feminine ornament in Isaiah's list of the fashionable feminine paraphernalia, "the rings and the nose-jewels" (quite likely rings also) (Isaiah 3:21). Either as ornaments or for their intrinsic value, or both, rings were used as gifts for sacred purposes from both men and women: "brooches, and ear-rings, and signet-rings" (margin "nose-rings") (Exodus 35:22); "bracelets, rings (the American Standard Revised Version "signet-rings"), ear-rings" (Numbers 31:50 the King James Version). chotham, "signet," mentioned in Genesis 38:18, 25Exodus 28:11, 21, 36Exodus 39:6, 14, 30Jeremiah 22:24Haggai 2:23, etc., was probably usually a seal ring, but in Genesis 38 and elsewhere the seal may have been swung on wire, and suspended by a cord from the neck. It was not only an identification, but served as a stamp for signature. galil, "circle" (compare "Galilee," "Circle" of the Gentiles), rendered "ring" in Esther 1:6Songs 5:14, may rather mean "cylinder" or "rod" of metal. Earring (which see) in the King James Version is from totally different words: nezem, whose etymology is unknown, aghil, "round," or lachash, "amulet"; so the Revised Version (British and American). The "rings" of the wheels in Ezekiel 1:18 (the King James Version) are gabh, "curved," and mean "rims" (American Standard Revised Version), "felloes." Egyptians especially wore a great profusion of rings, principally of silver or gold, engraved with scarabaei, or other devices. In the New Testament the ring, daktulios, "finger-ring," is a token of means, position, standing: "put a ring on his hand" (Luke 15:22). Perhaps also it included the right to give orders in his father's name. To be chrusodaktulios, "golden-ringed," perhaps with more than one, indicated wealth and social rank: "a man with a gold ring" (James 2:2).

I was a Wand'ring Sheep.... I WAS A WAND'RING SHEEP. I was a wand'ring sheep, I did not love the fold: I did not love my Shepherd's voice, I would not be controlled. ...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/i was a wandring sheep.htm

The Upright Does Nothing that is Contrary to Duty...... secret. To point this out the tale about the ring of Gyges was invented by the philosophers. ... lifeless. He desiring the gold took away the ring. .../.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v the upright does.htm

Nicholas of Basle... About the 1308, he says, there was a son born to a rich merchant named Nicholas of the Golden Ring, who lived in the city of Basle, and owned property in year .../.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxxviii nicholas of basle.htm

Gifts to the Prodigal... XIII to XXIV GIFTS TO THE PRODIGAL. '... Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23. ... II. The Ring. .../.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gifts to the prodigal.htm

On the Study of Zoology.... So that I can represent a transverse section of the ring and its appendages upon the diagram board in this way. If I now take the .../.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/vi on the study of.htm

Women of the Frankish Church... To ensure confidence in himself, he took with him the ring of Clovis. On his arrival at Geneva, Clotilde received him as a pilgrim .../.../brittain/women of early christianity/viii women of the frankish.htm

The Further Adventures of Saint George.... east, and gilded with her radiant beams the mountain tops, than Sabra repaired to the Champion's pavilion, and presented him with a diamond ring of inestimable .../.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter four the further adventures.htm

Reverie.... REVERIE. Down beside the rippling river 'Neath-the weeping willow-tree, Viewing nature sweet and lovely, Wond'ring what must heaven be. .../.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/reverie.htm

Necklace (9 Occurrences)... Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold .../n/necklace.htm - 10k

Bible Concordance

Ring (33 Occurrences)

Luke 15:22 "But the father said to his servants,'Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

James 2:2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in;(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 24:22 It happened, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 24:30 It happened, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "This is what the man said to me," that he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 24:47 I asked her, and said,'Whose daughter are you?' She said,'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 38:18 And he said, What would you have? And she said, Your ring and its cord and the stick in your hand. So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she became with child by him.(BBE)

Genesis 38:25 And while she was being taken out, she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, The man whose property these things are, is the father of my child: say then, whose are this ring and this cord and this stick?(BBE NAS)

Genesis 41:42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck,(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 25:11 and thou hast overlaid it 'with' pure gold, within and without thou dost overlay it, and thou hast made on it a ring of gold round about.(YLT)

Exodus 26:24 They shall be double beneath, and in like manner they shall be entire to its top to one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 27:4 You shall make a grating for it of network of brass: and on the net you shall make four bronze rings in its four corners. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 36:29 They were double beneath, and in like manner they were all the way to its top to one ring. He did thus to both of them in the two corners.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 8:24 Gideon said to them, "I would make a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his spoil." (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 8:25 They answered, "We will willingly give them." They spread a garment, and every man threw the earrings of his spoil into it.(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 26:5 And David got up and came to the place where Saul's tents were: and David had a view of the place where Saul was sleeping with Abner, the son of Ner, the captain of his army: and Saul was sleeping inside the ring of carts, and the tents of the people were all round him.(BBE)

1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai came down to the army by night: and Saul was sleeping inside the ring of carts with his spear planted in the earth by his head: and Abner and the people were sleeping round him. (BBE)

2 Kings 19:28 Because thy raging against me and thine arrogance is come up into mine ears, I will put my ring in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, And I will make thee go back by the way by which thou camest.(DBY)

Esther 3:10 The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 3:12 Then the king's scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the king's satraps, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according its writing, and to every people in their language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the king's ring.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 8:2 The king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 8:8 Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may not be reversed by any man."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 8:10 He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by courier on horseback, riding on royal horses that were bread from swift steeds.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Job 41:2 Canst thou put a rope into his nose? Or pierce his jaw through with a hook?(See JPS)

Job 42:11 Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house. They comforted him, and consoled him concerning all the evil that Yahweh had brought on him. Everyone also gave him a piece of money, and everyone a ring of gold.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 37:29 Because thy raging against me and thine arrogance is come up into mine ears, I will put my ring in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will make thee go back by the way by which thou camest.(DBY)

Jeremiah 22:24 By my life, says the Lord, even if Coniah, the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, was the ring on my right hand, even from there I would have you pulled off;(BBE NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 6:17 A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.(See NAS NIV)

Hosea 2:13 I will visit on her the days of the Baals, to which she burned incense, when she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and went after her lovers, and forgot me," says Yahweh.(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Haggai 2:23 In that day, says the Lord of armies, I will take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and will make you as a jewelled ring: for I have taken you to be mine, says the Lord of armies.(BBE NAS RSV NIV)